Go big or go home is the fashion mood to take you into 2026. From clashing prints to conversation-starting accessories, kaleidoscope colour to little details that spark joy, here’s why The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, will always be an advocate for dopamine dressing.

My number one rule when it comes to style? There are no rules. The age-old rebellion that rules are indeed meant to be broken very much applies to how I get dressed in the morning. Clothes should be fun and make you feel good – it shouldn’t feel like a chore. And if they make other people feel a spark of joy in the process? Well, that’s a bonus. 

Fashion as a whole has become a lot more playful in recent years, and that’s in part due to the influence of social media. In an era where everyone is their own stylist, we’ve learned that bold pops of colour and eye-catching silhouettes offer a literal dopamine hit through our screens. I mean, how can you not smile at the flash of a lime green sock sandwiched between your jeans and loafers? Or the unexpected marriage of a polka dot and a floral print married in a single look.

My number one rule when it comes to style? There are no rules.

There are also plenty of brands that bring a sense of personality to the table. You only need to look at some of the British brands making waves right now – think Rixo, Damson Madder, and House of Sunny – who have all built their aesthetics on busy prints, bold colours, and playful proportions. 

Of course, there is a time and place for restraint. I wouldn’t wear a mille-feuille cascade of tulle to someone else’s wedding, and I might tone things down for a high-stakes work meeting. But a whimsical bag, a vintage brooch, or a subtle print clash never did anyone any harm, did it? 

Scroll to shop my dopamine dressing edit…

A woman stands against a plain background wearing a bright green button-up jacket—perfect for dopamine dressing—with large buttons, flap pockets, a wide collar, blue jeans, and a white top. She has straight dark hair pulled back.
Roxanne Suede Jacket
Staud, £1,630
A woman sits on a chair wearing a long-sleeved dress with multicoloured zigzag stripes—a bold choice in dopamine dressing—black knee-high boots, gold hoop earrings, and holds a black woven bag with a polka dot sash tied at her waist.
Lucila Knitted Midi Dress
Rixo, £295
Wide-leg blue trousers with vertical red, green, white, and yellow stripes embody dopamine dressing. Featuring front pockets and belt loops, they're laid flat on a light grey background.
Pippi Pants Velvet Blue
La Veste, £208
A woman wearing a red blouse with white polka dots, a matching necktie, and red polka dot gloves stands against a plain light background. She showcases dopamine dressing, confidently looking at the camera with her hands clasped in front.
Polka Shirt
La Veste, £553
A small handbag with a black and tan tiger stripe pattern and a single thin black shoulder strap, perfect for dopamine dressing, set against a plain, light background.
Hannah Shoulder Bag
Reformation X Devon Lee Carlson, £348
A quilted jacket with puffed sleeves in a pink, brown, and green check pattern—perfect for dopamine dressing. Features include brown collar and cuffs, front pockets, and an embroidered pinecone with greenery on the left shoulder.
Ana-Clara Quilted Jacket
Barbour X Farm Rio, £263 (was £329)
A woman wearing a colourful, striped button-up jumper in blue, green, cream, and red tones—perfect for dopamine dressing—paired with light beige trousers, stands against a plain light background.
Terri Striped Knit Cardigan
Kitri, £125
Knee High Socks
Damson Madder, £15

One of my favourite Instagram follows is @_liullland, the pure definition of dressing for yourself. From rainbow hues and print clashes to quirky accessories (and 10/10 reels), she is guaranteed to pour a little extra joy into your feed.

A woman stands wearing a light pink, sleeveless knitted top, a matching pink jumper draped over her shoulders, and a long pink knitted skirt—an elegant take on dopamine dressing. Her hair is pulled back and she wears dark pointed-toe shoes.
Hattie Mohair Knitted Skirt
Aligne, £145
Gel-Cumulus 16 Trainers
Asics, £145
A woman wearing a black polo-neck dress and a beige and black animal print coat with large buttons stands against a plain white background, embracing dopamine dressing. She has long wavy hair and is wearing gold earrings.
Tommie Leopard Jacket
Rixo, £385
A yellow suede handbag with a single top handle and a silver buckle fastening on the front, perfect for dopamine dressing, displayed against a plain white background.
Harlow Bag
Staud, £335

Clothes should be fun and make you feel good – it shouldn’t feel like a chore.

Person standing against a white wall, embracing dopamine dressing in a yellow button-down shirt, tan trousers, and a red jumper draped over their shoulders with the sleeves tied in front. Hands are in pockets and expression is neutral.
Relaxed Cotton Shirt
Cos, £75
A single loafer shoe with a black and beige snakeskin pattern, low block heel, and classic slip-on design—perfect for dopamine dressing—displayed against a plain light grey background.
Square-Toe Heeled Loafers
Cos, £119
A woman in a green V-neck top embraces dopamine dressing, showcasing a chunky beaded necklace with large red, white, turquoise, and gold beads, finished with a teardrop-shaped red pendant at the centre.
Andamento Multi Stone Necklace
Lizzie Fortunano, £640
Portobello Sunglasses
Finlay, £160
Ruffled Leather Ballerinas
Essential Antwerp, £230
A black fabric tote bag with a simple, dopamine dressing-inspired graphic of a peeled banana in yellow and white on the front. The bag has a triangular shape and two handles at the top.
Banana Peel Bag
Hades, £130
A woman with light skin and brown hair in a low bun wears a lime green ribbed polo neck—a nod to dopamine dressing—and large, gold, starburst-shaped earrings with pearl-like tips. She is looking downward with a neutral expression.
Faux Pearl Earrings
Cult Gaia, £245
A woman embodies dopamine dressing in a sheer, ruffled cream blouse, black bralette, patterned maroon trousers, a belt, layered necklaces, and bold red heeled boots as she poses against a beige background.
Corduroy Boyfriend Jeans
We The Free, £158

If megawatt colour isn’t your thing, you can still inject a playful edge and a subtle dose of dopamine through the finer details – think a fun pair of tights or a well-placed pop of red.

A person with slicked-back hair sits on a white chair, sporting dopamine dressing in a bright blue jumper, loose-fitting blue jeans, and brown leather loafers, with one hand resting on their neck and legs relaxed and apart.
Knit Batwing Jumper
Zara, £35.99
A long, faux fur coat with a black and white abstract, cow-like pattern channels dopamine dressing, featuring a black leather collar and button-up front, displayed against a plain white background.
Animal Print Coat
Zara, £149
A person wearing high-waisted, light blue wide-leg jeans with white floral embroidery down the side seam, paired with a white lace blouse and brown platform shoes—an uplifting example of dopamine dressing—stands against a plain background.
Valentin Trousers
Sézane X SEA NY, £140
A black high-heeled court shoe with a pointed toe, featuring a white polka dot pattern throughout—perfect for dopamine dressing. The slim, stiletto-style heel adds a touch of playful sophistication.
Barbara Polka Dot Pumps
Amina Muaddi, £720
A long, leopard-print faux fur coat with a wide, light beige fur collar and cuffs, matching belt, and pink satin lining—this is dopamine dressing at its finest, laid flat on a white background.
Priscilla Coat
Queens Of Archive, £450
A woman embracing dopamine dressing wears a long-sleeved, green and purple striped blouse with buttons and frill detailing at the waist, paired with brown trousers, standing against a plain light background.
Madison Blouse
Damson Madder, £65
A cream-coloured midi skirt with black polka dots and a subtle ruffle trim along the hem—perfect for adding a touch of dopamine dressing to your everyday look.
Meadow Polka Dot Skirt
Susamusa, £110
A woman embraces dopamine dressing in a sheer, long-sleeve yellow lace top over a matching bralette and blue jeans with a brown belt, standing against a plain light background.
Lady Lux Layering Top
Free People, £32
Accessories, Fashion, Outfits, Trending Fashion

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